How much he makes is completely irrelevant.

What *is* relevant, as William stated is that the bullpen was completely rested.

What is *also* relelvant, is that the bullpen was also *warm*.

How long was Burnett sitting on the bench during the top of the 7th?

30 minutes?

I think that’s the perfect time to slap AJ on the ass and tell him “good job” and then turn to the bullpen for 6 outs.

And yes, the decision to pinch run for Arod was just about the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

I was in a rehearsal for most of the game. Saw the updates in the top7 when the Yanks came back and unfortunately listened to the last 1½ innings on my way home via Sterling/Waldman.

Ready for tomorrow night. Pettitte on the hill? Let’s go!

1. Pinch running Alex was just weird but not significant. I’ll chalk it to inexplicable but waste no time on it.

2. I went back and forth on AJ staying in. I tried, hard, to be with Joe. Burnett had been very good after the first, he was NOT at many pitches, he throws 115 a game … and … I can’t do it. He needed to come out. We had a locked and loaded bullpen after CC in game 4. Girardi only need 4 outs, maybe only 3 (!) from his revolving door of set-up options in the 7th. Burnett had been SITTING for a long time during the top of the 7th … and then … MAYBE let him see one batter, but surely, surely not two!

3. But … this gets sadder when you consider that Hughes is supposed to be able to deal with men on base. That is his job! It isn’t like a starter coming in late, give him a clean sheet. William is saying Girardi needed to have more confidence in Hughes … but the last two outings have probably undermined that. And Joba … surely he’s slips behind Robertson rest of the way now? Ouch.

4. It is very hard to ‘blame’ a batter for not getting a 2 out hit. Swisher was more culpable in game 3, but I did wish/hope we’d see him sitting to compose himself and we’d have Gardy in centre last night. I wish I didn’t feel so right about that.

5. In the end, it is on Girardi and Hughes, for me, not necessarily in that order. Was there any discussion of Po’s putting the glove way high on Vlad’s hit? Was he trying to scam Vlad?

6. In the REAL end, we need Andy to be very good tomorrow. Saunders has had a superb 10-12 game run.

7. Damn and blast.

This game was one of the strangest I have ever seen. I think both managers suffered severe panic attacks and made moves purely designed on “not losing” instead of “winning”. Let me explain myself.

Lackey was pulled after he got the 2nd out of the 7th. Pure panic by the “genius”. We all know how that unfolded, lackey had pretty much handled Teix, why would you bring in Oliver? this inning also featured the IBB to big al (that’s how I will call him from now on, it seems like he enjoys it more than arod), which came back to bite them by scoring the go ahead run. Panic attack.

Then in the bottom half, Mr Binder panicked and tried to squeeze one last inning before going to his elite set-ups, why not start the inning with Hughes, get him to throw 1.1 or 1.2 and then Mo the remaining portion, they’re fresh, they can do it. if hughes starts to falter, then you bring in a loogy or robertson (joba is off-limits until he starts throwing 99 again, which he briefly did on the k pitch to mathis)

Then the 8th, the genius has a leadoff double and then proceeds to have his hottest batter bunt the guy on 2nd to 3rd (for some strange reason Punto and Mathis, probably the worst hitters on the twins and angels are killing the yanks). Now why on Earth would you do that genius? the result, leadoff double wasted. I’m also convinced that it will bring mathis crashing down to earth in game 6, if he starts of ph’s, he will never touch the ball again.

then in the 9th, two outs, bases empty, the genius walks big Al, beyond comprehensible, talk about managing with absolute fear; this move had already caused them a run and if not for swisher it would have cost them the game.

I won’t get into the PR by guzman without any intention of stealing, my head will explode if I even try to figure that out.

two other things, the genius sitting kendrick (who is like the babe when playing v the yanks) and mr binder sticking with molina are just two more examples of managers trying to be smart.

why go against the formula that won you your respective divisions just because its the playoffs?? its the same freaking game!! you win mostly by scoring runs not focusing on preventing them. why worry about next inning when you have a bomb in your hands this inning?

the last point I wanted to make: after watching the game again I can tell you that the yanks lost on the BB by burnett to Aybar, he had him at 0-2, aybar was looking terrible but aj decided to fool him with 4 balls to see if he would bite…GRRRRRRRR!!!!

I am convinced that the yanks will end up winning game 6. so don’t worry.

I really could not believe that Girardi sent him out there in the seventh. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. Burnett was barely controlled chaos and they were lucky to get through the sixth with him. When they got that nigh-miraculous (let’s face it, if Cano’s involved it’s pretty amazing) rally, scoring six to go up two, going to the bullpen was a no-brainer.

Well, part two to the equation is that even if Girardi had done the right thing there, it may have blown up in his face because Hughes was bad. Hughes has been bad. I hate to say it but might be time to just say Hughes is bad and move on. On the other hand, when I left between the top and bottom of the seventh, Chamberlain was warming. I didn’t exactly feel confident, but maybe things would have been different if Girardi had put Joba in there.

And yeah, the pinch running for A Rod thing was absurd.

To be honest I really enjoyed that game. Everything happened so fast, the two rallies were kind of a blur. I didn’t think the Yanks would win in five, anyway, and though the opportunity certainly was there, I’d be surprised if they couldn’t win one of the next two. I’m hoping for six games so the rotation is properly in order, but I’ll take what we can get.

Chili (in bowls!), cornbread, and adult beverages all around!
Pizzas, and treats for the kids!
And hopefully the Yanks will feast on some Angels pitching.

Personally, I’m going to sit quietly in a chair, not paying a lot of attention to what’s going on around me, and if asked I will say I’m a Yankee pinch runner.

After all the guests arrive, I’ll say “Thanks for coming, everybody. So glad you could make it.” Then, I’ll dump two pots of chili on the kitchen floor, and offer our guests some cornbread. “I’m AJ Burnett! Get it?! Now who’s gonna help me clean up this mess?”

Or I’ll go as Nick Swisher, and after all the guests arrive I’ll go down to the basement, and turn off the power, plunging the house into darkness.. Then I’ll walk upstairs, flick on a flashlight and salute, “Party’s over, people! I’m Nick Swisher. Get it?!”

Or maybe I’ll dress up as Joba, and as the guests arrive I’ll greet them with a blank forlorn expression, and if they request anything I’ll shake them off nervously, and ask, “When is Marino Rivera is arriving?”

Bah! bitter bitter bitter this morning, but I’ll snap out of it quickly. In fact, I’m feeling better already.

Girardi really has very little feel for the game.

I hereby nominate AJ for that position.

But hey, everyone. This way the Yankees get to celebrate at home. Plus Andy gets to set the record for post season wins.

Rationalize? Me?